'Fairytale' European Christmas market selling 86p mulled wine with £32 UK flights
Christmas is fast approaching, and for anyone looking to book a last-minute festive getaway, there are plenty of European options
Many would argue there is no better way to get that festive feeling than with a warming cup of mulled wine while you browse a European Christmas market. However, they can often be a costly event. A cup of mulled wine at the Berlin Christmas market can set you back five euros, plus another three if you’d like to keep the mug as a memento.
And, staying closer to home isn’t always the answer. It’s no secret that UK Christmas markets are also amongst some of the most expensive in Europe. You’ll need to fork out around £25 for a beer and a bratwurst if you pay the Manchester Christmas markets a visit this year, for instance.
If you’re keen to plan a festive getaway but don’t want to spend too much, some of the 'lesser known' European Christmas markets can cost a fraction of the price. Plus, they are often less busy than those in the UK.
If you’re in need of some inspiration, the team at Eurochange have researched some of the best alternative Christmas markets across Europe, as well as pricing up the cheapest flights from the UK and the average cost of a hotel. They have also looked at the cities with the best exchange rates, so you know where you’ll get the best deal.
Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital and engagement at Eurochange, said: "Our research shows the Christmas market in Wroclaw, Poland, is one of the best in Europe if you’re looking for excellent value for money and a truly authentic experience. Two nights of accommodation for two adults costs just £47, and food and drinks are very affordable. Sibiu in Romania is a close second when it comes to the cheapest Christmas markets in Europe. Here, you can get a mulled wine for just 86p."
Sibiu, Romania
- Cheapest direct return UK flights (per person): £32 from Birmingham, £49 from London Luton
- Cheapest accommodation price: £35 for two nights based on two adults sharing
- Christmas market entry: Free
- Currency and exchange rate: Romanian leu (£1 = 5.84 leu)
- Total trip cost (based on the cheapest options for two nights) for two people: £129
Laura says Sibiu is Romania’s most popular Christmas market destination, even ahead of the capital, Bucharest. Romanians flock to visit this Transylvanian winter celebration, known as 'The Fair In Sibiu', which takes place from November 14, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
Sibiu has a combined Hungarian, Romanian and German heritage, which gives the town its rich, unique culture - unlike anywhere else in Transylvania, Laura says. Located in the historic old town, Piața Mare, these markets are "beautifully decorated with thousands of fairy lights and festive trinkets", she added.
Plus, she says it’s particularly cheap. A cup of mulled wine costs between five and 10 leu (just £0.86). Make sure you try out the tasty local specialities too, including Kürtőskalács (spit cakes) and cozonac (sweet bread).
Wroclaw, Poland
- Cheapest direct return UK flights (per person): £38 from Liverpool, £40 from London Stansted, £40 from Nottingham, £41 from Bristol
- Cheapest accommodation price: £47 for two nights based on two adults sharing
- Christmas market entry: Free
- Currency and exchange rate: Polish zloty (£1 = 4.87 zloty)
- Total trip cost (based on the cheapest options for two nights): £123
Wroclaw is regarded as one of the best and most beautiful Christmas markets in Poland, according to Laura. "It is an idyllic, real life winter wonderland, scattered across the city", she said.
Located in the Rynek Marquet Square, Place Solny, Świdnicka Street and Oławska Street, there are plenty of stalls to enjoy. Laura says a lot of them sell handmade crafts and treats, many from independent businesses.
It’s very reasonably priced too, Laura adds, with a mulled wine costing only 15 PLN (£3.08) plus a 15 PLN deposit for the mug. But if you don’t fancy the mug, there are plenty of restaurants and bars surrounding the markets, where you can find a warming cup of mulled wine for just 9 PLN (£1.85).
Innsbruck, Austria
- Cheapest direct return UK flights to Vienna (per person): £54 from London Gatwick, £73 from Liverpool, £83 from Manchester.
- Vienna to Innsbruck train: From £21 (per person)
- Cheapest accommodation price: £67 for two nights based on two adults sharing
- Christmas market entry: Free
- Currency and exchange rate: euro (£1 = €1.15)
- Total trip cost (based on the cheapest options for two nights) for two people: £196
Laura said: "Nothing will give you the ‘festive feels’ like roaming the streets of Innsbruck in the run-up to Christmas. The aroma of freshly made Kiachln (piping hot doughnuts laced with Sauerkraut) and the sound of Christmas carols are guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit.
"Fairy lights give the medieval alleys a magical glow, and in front of the city’s famous ‘Golden Roof’, you will find the Christmas markets. Visitors can also wander across to Innsbruck’s main shopping street, Maria-Theresien Straße, where there are even more chalets offering tasty snacks and handmade crafts."
Tallinn, Estonia
- Cheapest direct return UK flights (per person): £48 from London Luton, £203 from Edinburgh, £207 from Birmingham
- Cheapest accommodation price: £45 for two nights based on two adults sharing
- Christmas market entry: Free
- Currency and exchange rate: euro (£1 = €1.15)
- Total trip cost (based on the cheapest options for two nights) for two people: £141
"Tallinn Christmas market is a real-life fairytale in the heart of Estonia’s capital", Laura says. You can sample local delicacies, including black pudding, sour cabbage, gingerbread and warming festive tipples from 1-2 euros, making it one of the cheapest and most authentic Christmas markets in Europe. She said: "The real star of the show is the incredible market Christmas tree, which has been set up every year in the Town Hall Square since 1441, making it the first ever Christmas tree to be put on display in Europe."
Zagreb, Croatia
- Cheapest direct UK flights (per person): £54 return from London Stansted (per person)
- Cheapest accommodation price: £55 for two nights based on two adults sharing
- Christmas market entry: Free
- Currency and exchange rate: euro (£1 = €1.15)
- Total trip cost (based on the cheapest options for two nights) for two people: £163
Croatia is perhaps not the first country that comes to mind when we think of a ‘festive’ location, but Zagreb’s Christmas market should not be underestimated, Laura claims. Also known as ‘Advent Zagreb’, the city "truly comes to life" during the festive season with an epic Christmas market and a rich programme of music and art exhibitions, plus an impressive ice-skating rink in King Tromislav Square.
Flight rates are based on Skyscanner data as of October 24, 2025, looking at the cheapest available direct flights in December.
Hotel rates are also based on Booking.com data as of October 24, 2025, when filtering prices from 'low to high' for two nights, for two people sharing one room. Exchange rates are all based on the market rate on October 24, 2025.